NT FigureNew Testament

Ananias (Acts 5)

Acts

When

c. AD 31· In the text

Placed by the story. The date is a rough guide. How the dates are worked out

Name meaning

"the LORD is gracious" · Hebrew

Greek form of the Hebrew name Hananiah.

About

A member of the church in Jerusalem and the husband of Sapphira, neither the disciple Ananias of Damascus nor the high priest Ananias. He sold a possession, kept back part of the price with his wife's knowledge, and laid a part at the apostles' feet. Peter asked why Satan had filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. The land had been his own, Peter said, and after the sale it was still in his power. He had lied not to men but to God. Ananias fell down and died, and all who heard of it were greatly afraid. The young men carried him out and buried him.

Relationships

SpouseSapphiraWife, who knew that part of the price was kept back

Rebuked byPeterApostle who told Ananias he had lied not to men but to God

Key Scripture AppearancesKJV

Acts 5:1

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,Acts 5:1, KJV

Acts 5:3

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?Acts 5:3, KJV

Acts 5:4

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.Acts 5:4, KJV

Acts 5:5

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.Acts 5:5, KJV

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